President Bush today signed a notification to Congress of his intent to
continue the national emergency with respect to Burma and the associated
sanctions. This step is an indication of the President's serious
concern over the continued deterioration of the situation in Burma and
his determination to stand with those who are struggling to end tyranny
in that country.

In recent weeks, the Burmese junta has stepped up its attacks on ethnic
populations, producing even greater refugee flows; has used its mass
member organization to conduct attacks on and extra-legally detain
citizens in Irrawaddy Division and in Rangoon; has continued to harass
and detain peaceful democracy activists; and has arrested students and
others seeking to pray at pagodas for the release of political
prisoners, including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. These recent
actions take place against a backdrop of ongoing grave human rights
violations, including the use of rape as a weapon against civilian
populations and conscription of child soldiers.

As the 17th anniversary of the 1990 elections approaches, it is clear
that the junta is becoming only more brutal, more repressive, and more
indifferent to the concerns of its neighbors and the international
community. We urge the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to
immediately and unconditionally release Aung San Suu Kyi and all
political prisoners so that a genuine dialogue between all stakeholders
may begin and national reconciliation may start in earnest. We also
urge all nations, and especially Burma's neighbors, to condemn
unequivocally the SPDC's continued unwillingness to move forward on its
own promises to return the nation to democratic rule.